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Case Study: Stephanie Pettitt, Equation Accounting

A Head Firmly in The Cloud – Stephanie Pettitt, Equation Accounting

Even at the age of 13, Stephanie knew she had a passion for business ventures. Her first was selling T-shirts on the beach in Swanage during the summer holidays. She studied business and finance at college then managed shops, restaurants, hotels, golf clubs and a large property portfolio. In 2002, she sold the successful contract cleaning company she had set up two years earlier.

This business experience, an interest in technology, a forte in money management and an inclination to help other business owners, led her to take her accountancy exams and set up Equation Accounting in 2007. Using Cloud-Based accounting programmes, she provides accessible, affordable and understandable online financial data. Data which analyses individual business performance and presents it in an easy-to-understand way Using The Cloud improves efficiency and ensures her clients have a clear understanding of their current financial position as well as online access to financial management reports.

Among many other accolades, Stephanie was the Winner of ‘E Business of the Year’ in the 2010 Open 4 Business Awards and Entrepreneur of the Year at the Dorset Business Awards in the same year. The previous year, she was the finalist for Technology in Business; long before The Cloud was commonplace.

Technology has not only helped her create Equation Accountancy but she has also leveraged its power to completely alter her business growth model. Stephanie and her staff are now able to work remotely and she has been able to relocate her business to live in a place she absolutely loves.

“Distance from work is no longer a consideration; I collaborate and interact with people both personally and in business in a way which I never dreamed imaginable. All through the power of the cloud” she says.

“The Cloud used to be just a buzz word. But at the Conference I could see how the penny has now dropped and how people are using the cloud to grow their businesses, secure data, interact, collaborate and support each other along the digital journey”

Stephanie has always offered business support and she now wants to coach others to transform their business, in part by adopting technology, alongside her accountancy practice. When WSX Enterprise Programme Manager, Liz Wright asked Stephanie to help deliver the Dorset Business Women Go Digital coaching sessions on The Cloud, she was absolutely delighted.

“As the ladies shared and become more empowered by the possibilities of The Cloud, I became aware, for what felt like the first time, of what I had to give my clients as a coach. Liz and the Go Digital ladies have inspired and encouraged me to take my coaching career further”.

The Dorset Business Women Go Digital programme, funded by the Government Equalities Office, has helped over 60 women led businesses to develop their skills in using technology. Stephanie will be continuing to support the business women of Dorset through her work as a mentor with Dormen, a local business mentoring organization. The Go Digital programme has funded training sessions for their mentors and will provide ongoing funding to support women as they continue to develop and grow their businesses.